IN THE AIR.

Taranaki Daily News, 24 March 1916, Page 5

IN THE AIR.

BRITAIN'S SERVICE. FORCIBLE ALLEGATIONS BY NEW MJ>. •• ~ London, March 22. The House of Commons discussed the •ir service, ■ Mr. Billing, the newlyelected airman, urged the amalgamation of the navy and military branches of the air serviec under one political head. This wotlld avoid muddle and chaos. He also advised the creation of a new force to attend to producing material for all •ervicea. There was no reason why eVery Zeppelin should not be blown up within six months. Mr. Tennant said it did not need strong language to impress the Government with the importance of the subject. It wais absolutely untrue to say that we W?re a third-class Power in the air. Our service was efficient and had done great work at the front and made constant raids on enemy territory. He hotly repeated Mr Billing's statement that some of our airmen had been murdered through the quality of the machines supplied. Mr. Billing: I repeat that I am prepared to produce evidence that will •hock the, House. The subject then dropped.

A' LUCKY BALOONIST. < / .'HRILLTNG JOURNEY THROUGH' SPACE. Paris, March 22. The rope of a captive balloon, at a height of 11,500 feet, on the French front, broke. The occupant used a para, chute, which did not open until after a drop of 150 feet. Then it planed gently and alighted 500 yards outside the German trenches. The observer returned to the French lines.